Smoking in public, roller's rights? Here are the top 15 weed etiquette rules, according to readers

Now that recreational marijuana is legal, we have to agree on some ground rules.

If you roll a joint, do you get to hit it first? What if you bought the marijuana and didn't roll it? Do the same rules apply?

If you light up in public, who gets to join you? Should you be able to light up in a public space at all?

Turns out, a lot of folks wanted to weigh in on these questions. In early June, the Democrat and Chronicle/USA Today Network surveyed readers asking for thoughts on what social etiquette should be regarding public weed consumption.

Hundreds of everyday people, both recreational smokers and those who never consume, responded with their top musts — and some must nots.

We compiled all the answers and now present New York's top 15 rules for weed etiquette, according to you, the reader.

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Rule No. 15: Pass it to the left.

This is the proper direction a cannabis joint or blunt should be passed in a group setting. Period.

Rule No. 14: Don't 'canoe' the joint or blunt.

If a joint or blunt "canoes," it's burning unevenly, causing an unpleasant smoking experience. The cause of this is usually a loose roll or smoking outside on a windy day. So, look before you light.

Rule No. 13: If you're smoking around someone, ask them to join you.

As one reader said, "Can't smoke in front of someone and not offer to share." Manners matter.

Rule No. 12: Ash the blunt before you pass the joint or blunt.

For this rule, readers said they believe it's courteous to make sure you don't need to use the ash tray before you pass the joint or blunt to the left.

Rule No. 11: Roller's rights always apply.

If you're the one who rolled it, "you get to light it and have the first puff," according to a reader.

Rule No. 10: Don't smoke at work or smell like weed in the workplace.

It's common for people to take cigarette smoke breaks while working. Nonetheless, a good portion of our readers believes it's disrespectful to coworkers to take a cannabis smoke break or come into the workplace smelling like marijuana.

Rule No. 9: If you're going to smoke in public, ask those around you if it's OK to light up.

Non-smokers would love it if people considered them when they decide to light up in a public space, according to our readers.

Rule No. 8: Don't drive while high.

Driving under the influence of cannabis is prohibited in New York. Burning cannabis by anyone in a vehicle is also illegal under the open container law.

State law says any driver or passenger violating the open container law will be charged with a traffic infraction.

Rule No. 7: Be discreet. Not everyone wants to discuss it.

Many readers believe just because cannabis consumption is now legal, that shouldn't mean people should flaunt their use.

According to one reader, "Top unwritten rule was don't talk about it. Once you get used to that, you just don't mention it at all. To talk about it out loud now is very WEIRD."

Rule No. 6: Only smoke where smoking is allowed

Several answers to our survey said smoking marijuana in public should only be permitted where smoking cigarettes and tobacco is legal.

Rule No. 5: Puff, puff, pass is the rhythm.

One of the more traditional rules of weed etiquette still applies. It means that when smoking a joint or blunt among multiple people, you should only hit it twice and then pass it. It's tradition for a reason.

Rule No. 4: Don't consume in front of children.

Some of the most passionate answers to this survey centered around the idea that it is entirely unacceptable to smoke weed while kids are present, and for some readers, that means anyone under the age of 18.

Rule No. 3: Don't bogart that joint, my friend.

The phrase "don't bogart that joint, my friend" is a lyric from the song "Don't Bogart That Joint" by Little Feat, and many submitted answers quoted the verse.

This rule, an offshoot of Rule No. 5, asks that if you're enjoying cannabis in a group setting, don't smoke an uneven share of the marijuana.

One reader commented, "Don't hold it while you tell a story. Hit it and pass it on!"

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Rule No. 2: Don't smell like cannabis in public.

Our survey proves that several people do not care for the smell of marijuana. For some readers, they say it affects their allergies. Others believe it's disrespectful to subject a non-smoker to the odor.

A theme among many readers was that smokers should not assume everyone enjoys the smell of marijuana.

Rule No. 1: Don't smoke weed in public.

Over a quarter of the responses we received asked recreational cannabis smokers not to smoke in public. Whether it be the smell, the dangers of second-hand smoke, or just believing it's in poor taste to consume in public, most folks don't think they have to accept public consumption as the norm.

What's legal and what's not?

Now that you know what readers think about weed etiquette, we wanted to know what the legalities of recreational cannabis use will be now that a federal appeals court lifted an injunction preventing legal dispensaries in the Finger Lakes in late March.

To provide answers, we asked Linda Kingsley of the Corporation Counsel for the City of Rochester.

Though most of our readers who answered the survey don't think people should be able to smoke weed at all publicly, the law is more flexible.

"No municipality can stop people from smoking marijuana in public," Kingsley said. "The state law says you can smoke marijuana anywhere you can smoke a cigarette."

Kingsley noted one prominent no-smoking area — and that was outdoors in front of a cannabis dispensary. Most laws local officials enforce regarding cannabis concern where and how licensed retailers can sell it.

Any dispensaries in the Rochester area are only allowed to operate in zones where retail is permitted, and they are prohibited from doing business near churches and schools.

Licensed dispensaries also have these restrictions across New York:

• Cannabis cannot be displayed through windows;

• The entrance has to be street level;

• Businesses cannot be located in malls, unless it's a strip mall;

• Security cameras are required;

• The general public should not be able to smell marijuana near the shop.

"Run your business, run it right," Kingsley said.

Contact Robert Bell at: rlbell@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter: @byrobbell & Instagram: @byrobbell.

This coverage is only possible with support from our readers.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Cannabis rules: Here are our readers' top 15 weed etiquette tips